Every other year we hold a charity dinner and dance event in the beautiful setting of Daylesford in Gloucestershire.
Our first fundraising event at Daylesford was held in 2015; we had an incredible community of friends who all wanted to support us.
It was an emotional and powerful experience, so soon after Archie’s operation. We made a short film to tell Archie’s story and explain why we were trying to raise money to fund a cure for PAH.
We also had a silent and live auction held by Sotheby’s. Archie’s drawing of a T-Rex [pictured] was the final auction lot and went for £50,000. It’s because of this that we decided to call our charity The Dinosaur Trust and Archie’s drawing has always been the last lot of the night at every event since then. In just three events we have raised more than £1.5 million.
Each charity event at Daylesford takes several months of planning. We make three short films, documenting the results of the research work we fund, interviewing the researchers and medical staff, and telling a story of the effects of PAH on patients. We’re fortunate to have had the live auction held by Sotheby’s Chairman of Europe, Oliver Barker and lucky to have the support of Lord and Lady Bamford, who provide the beautiful venue and a team of staff for our event.